North West England Cruises: Top 5 Sailing Tours Reviewed
So, thinking about taking a cruise around North West England? That part of the country offers some really quite lovely experiences out on the water, very, very different from your typical tropical getaway, but wonderful too it’s almost. We took a good, close look at several options and then we chose our top five, from short river trips near big cities to extended sailing outings around scenic lakes, you know. Here is our take on the cruises that might be just perfect for you, then!
1. Mersey River Explorer Cruise, Liverpool
The Mersey River Explorer Cruise, is that right, very often it comes highly praised by both tourists and locals alike as well, right. It gives you this chance to check out Liverpool’s waterfront from, like, a fresh viewpoint and learn all about the history and musical heritage of the city. It’s almost a sightseeing tour on the water, basically. As I was saying, the views of the Royal Albert Dock and the amazing architecture are just breathtaking, I mean. A guided commentary brings to life loads of, you know, fascinating stories behind the iconic landmarks so, that does sound pretty cool doesn’t it! The cruises usually run for about fifty minutes, or something close to that, making it like your pretty easy little thing to fit into your plans, you know. anyway, it is what it is, isn’t it!
And it’s not just sightseeing, even. The cruise will take you past the U-boat Story at Woodside Ferry Terminal, for instance, where you get an close peek at a German U-boat from World War II, apparently. You also see Spaceport, that’s an interactive science museum with some great space exhibits which could be very cool, alright. If you wanna have a bit more of an amazing experience, look at the special themed cruises, too it’s almost – they’ve got stuff like music cruises and even, basically, special events, that’s a fact. Whatever takes your boat’s float, alright.
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2. Windermere Lake Cruises, Lake District
Windermere Lake Cruises? In the Lake District?, yes they provide several cruise options across Lake Windermere, so that is what that does isn’t it. You may want to get ready for some stunning panoramic scenes because this is an pretty beautiful area, just, basically, a knockout for nature-lovers or just people looking to chill. Routes usually make stops at Ambleside, Bowness, and Lakeside, as I was saying, giving you the ability to get on or off at a number of different points and look over the little villages and many walking paths round there so. In a way, these cruises are an ideal launchpad to look around the Lake District, in fact.
For a shorter outing, think about a Yellow Cruise, like your one running between Bowness and Ambleside for half an hour round. It goes by Belle Isle, basically the biggest of Windermere’s islands, then. If you might want an extensive sight-seeing adventure there’s like, the Red Cruise, really, running nearly the full span of the lake round trip with, like, an hour break at each end. so. Check that schedule before you set foot aboard and then make a loose itinerary, like your own, of that lake and some other spots round about it!
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3. Ullswater Steamers, Lake District
Okay, so if you happen to be searching out an old feel for your Lake District cruise, then consider, very, very carefully, the Ullswater Steamers, as a matter of fact. Ullswater Steamers offers sailings on these heritage vessels, I mean, and these are actually steamboats, which run all year, is that not right. The sailings provide lovely vistas of the Ullswater fells as well as chances for walks along the lakeshore paths around, you know, Howtown and Glenridding, really. Many routes are there to suit varying time frames and interests there, like your pretty unique things. On the other hand, this is not the one for anyone wanting a loud rock concert right.
The company runs a lot of themed trips and special activities, too, that’s a fact. These boats, of course, could very well become fully chartered so, check and re-check availability. Plus, a combo ticket can make sure the fun of the lake merges very beautifully with other fun bits, perhaps, a vintage car garage in a neighbouring town too it’s almost. That’s, for example, if you think that the kids, for instance, are pretty into anything motorized you see. All told, though, Ullswater is your more subdued escape, usually.
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4. Coniston Water Cruises, Lake District
Well, smaller but maybe somehow more, you know, intimate than Windermere is Coniston Water and there they have a cruise experience to go along with it too it’s almost, yes. You may want to prepare for amazing mountain views all round, as a matter of fact, coupled with the stories from your captains and crew that help you to envision the past there, arguably, in a pretty solid form so. Actually, the cruise travels, like, the length of Coniston Water and runs a little over a hour, often.
Neary all trips depart from Coniston Pier, by the way, a solid starting and endpoint to tour this area round as well, naturally. Moreover, in effect there’s the option to make a break at Brantwood, I mean, which was previously home to John Ruskin and offers an amazing dive into the life of that art critic from the early, early 19th century or something close to that. Also note that families may want to jump over to Wild Cat Island – recognizable as the location Arthur Ransome wrote about in his classic “Swallows and Amazons.” In fact these cruises bring together both historical stuff and just good, very old times.
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5. Lancaster Canal Boat Trips, Lancashire
Actually, shifting down away from the Lakes just a bit now, a trip down the Lancaster Canal just has this charm all over, which you might very, very well enjoy, actually. Multiple providers run trips and each one can really give you a real relaxed and charming way to see that part of Lancashire through a calm canal experience, usually. When doing a little research online just expect various things to turn up so, then find precisely what part of that lengthy canal and which company gives the greatest experience on water so.
That cruise can take you over the Lune Aqueduct, even, offering one very pretty view down into the River Lune that I believe is almost breathtaking I’m told – as a matter of fact this construction in Lancaster became the pride of all. And that Lancaster Canal Trust also runs specific events, alright, and themed cruises and a whole lot more of those pop up through that yearly schedule there too it’s almost so be wise to peek frequently for some new options. Basically that cruise down those canal routes goes slowly and makes it very simple to get lots and lots of photos too! So that way even amateur picture snappers can then head back home with something pretty and cool, like your great photography, seriously.
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